GateHouse News Service Illinois Budget (12/24/07)

Monday

Dec 24, 2007 at 12:01 AMDec 24, 2007 at 3:09 AM

GateHouse News Service Illinois Budget (12/24/07)

GateHouse News Service Illinois Budget (12/24/07)
Here are the top Illinois stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at www.gatehousenewsservice.com
*Please check this Web site in the evening for changes to story lineup, including breaking news.
Contacts: Note: Jonie is on vacation until 12/26.
National Editor Jean Hodges, (630) 348-3350, jhodges@gatehousemedia.com
Michael Toeset, (630) 835-8870, mtoeset@gatehousemedia.com
**CHECK END OF BUDGET FOR SMOKING BAN PACKAGE, ROSE BOWL FEATURE
News
NOTE: See bottom of log for Rose Bowl and Smoking stories
STATE BRIEFS: Roundup of state news. Will move by 6 p.m. in Illinois and Illinois News
FAMILY CARE ANALYSIS: Gov. Rod Blagojevich has angered state lawmakers from both political parties by putting in place parts of his health-care expansion plan without legislative approval, but families that are benefiting from his expansion of the FamilyCare program say they are glad the governor is willing to take the flak. Olsen w/sidebar and factbox. SJR / Illinois and Illinois News
CHILD BEATEN life-threatening injuries; mother's boyfriend arrested. Bolinski/will move this evening. SJR / Illinois and Illinois News
CATERPILLAR EXPLOSION. Still trying to learn the identities of the four people injured in the Saturday fire, including the two guards being treated at the Springfield burn unit. Spokesperson said she couldn't confirm reports of the person or persons injured by carbon dioxide inhalation. (merits, by 6 p.m. – if story will not move, note will go out on the wire) FRANK RADOSEVICH. Peoria / Illinois and Illinois News
TRAIN THANKS: Jennifer Asparooth was hit by a train almost 30 years ago, and is haunted by the fact that she never thanked the paramedics that saved her life. It was Dec. 4, 1979 and she broke her neck after a train struck her car, trapping her inside her vehicle on a train track in southeast Rockford. She spent 8 months recovering in a halo-vest. Doctors told her that if the paramedics had jostled her at all - even an inch - she would have been paralyzed. BRIDGET THARP/ROCKFORD / Illinois and Illinois News
CELEBRATION TIME: Students celebrate holidays around the world. Register-Mail. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/x546802162
HOLIDAY DÉCOR: Public schools make seasonal décor less religious. Register-Mail. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/x2133871299
WORKIN: While most are opening presents, some people have to work. Register-Mail. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/news/x1059343280
Sports
NADEL: Scott Skiles fired on Christmas Eve / Evening / Bulls and Mike Nadel
-No NADEL for Wednesday
ILLINI: Rose Bowl package (see log description toward bottom of budget)
NIC-10 GEORGETOWN: Hononegah quarterback David King seldom passed in high school, what with the Indians leading the NIC-10 in rushing with more than 3,000 yards. But he sold himself well enough last summer, going to seven football camps and four showcases, to earn the league's first Divsion I (albeit I-AA) scholarship. He has verbally committed to Georgetown. MATT TROWBRIDGE/ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR, words 450 / Illinois Sports
BEARS COL: Last two games illustrate both Bears' potential for 2008 and what went wrong this year. The team doesn't need to be overhauled, but it can't keep relying on a rigid formula of ball-control running and defensive turnovers. That only works as a front-running strategy. Can run either Tuesday or Wednesday. MATT TROWBRIDGE/ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR, words 990 / Illinois Sports and Bears
Opinions
JEFF VRABEL: My prehistoric TV is just fine, thank you. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/columnists/jeff_vrabel/x546802421
BRITT TOON: About the war, Christmas and soldiers' children. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/opinions/x603826610
WOOD ON WORDS: Some word origins for your stocking. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/columnists/barry_wood/x1295919889
--Special packages--
SPECIAL FOR CHRISTMAS DAY: LIVES FILLED WITH ROSES

Package on Illinois' first appearance in the Rose Bowl in 1947 in lead-up to the present-day team’s appearance on New Year’s Day. SUPINIE

MAIN STORY: How Mr. Illini inspired the conference championship team of WWII veterans mixed with younger.

WITH: Vignettes on several players from the 1947 team, who provide personal insight into the meaning of the game, the return from World War II and a life full of memories.

LEAD-UP TO SMOKING BAN: PACKAGE FROM PEORIA
NOTE: LINKS TO ALL THE SMOKING CONTENT WILL BE IN THE STORY FOUND HERE: http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1059342418
Saturday, Dec. 22:
ALREADY SMOKE-FREE: (w/pic) The hospitals went smoke free in July. Look at how it is going and what suggestions they offer to make the transition easier. (10-12 inches)

Sunday, Dec. 23
SMOKING LAW: (w/chart) A blow out story spelling out the new law and what changes people can expect to see as Illinois goes smoke-free on Jan. 1. (15-20 inches) PEORIA

Monday, Dec. 24
POLICING THE LAW: How do police entities plan to handle complaints. And who is ticketed, the smoker or the business allowing them to smoke. Also look at to whom
do people report violations? (15 inches)

Tuesday, Dec. 25
HOW IT HAS WORKED AT WORK: A look at how big companies, such as Mitsubishi, State Farm, ISU handled the smoking ban. See how these companies handled the policies in their city and if they need to do anything more when the state ban goes into effect. (10-12 inches.)

Thursday, Dec. 27
SMALL TOWN ADAPTATION - A look at how smaller municipalities plan to handle this change. It could be tough in towns with part-time city hall hours and one-man
police departments. (15 inches)

Saturday, Dec. 29
GAME PLAY: Bingo parlors and casinos are known to be smoky scenes, so what will
patrons do when they can't light up. Will they head outside for a smoke and risk losing that lucky machine? (10 inches)

Sunday, Dec. 30
STILL SMOKING? Will talk to the American Cancer Society and offer tips to make the
transition easier. Try to find someone planning to quit as a result of the law. (CHARTICLE)

Monday, Dec. 31
WHERE CAN YOU ACTUALLY LIGHT UP? A look at where people can still enjoy a cigarette, including private residences, nursing homes hotels and tobacco stores. (10-12 inches)

Tuesday, Jan. 1 - (blastoff)
REHASH OF LAW:. A chart of the new laws. (merits)

Wednesday, Jan. 2
THE DAY AFTER: How did the first day go? Will look at how things went, talking to police,
restaurants and bars. (15 inches)

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.